Closure cap for an automotive radiator

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a closure cap ( 10 ) for a stationary reservoir neck, especially of an automotive radiator. Said cap has a cap outer part ( 16 ) and a cap inner part ( 15 ), and the cap outer part ( 16 ) comprises a closure element ( 17 ) for the reservoir neck and a grip element ( 18 ) that permits it to be rotated relative thereto. A torsional stop ( 19 ) is provided between the grip element and the closure element ( 17 ) of the cap outer part ( 16 ). The torsional stop ( 19 ) that can be/is engaged under the action of a spring can be disengaged by a thermally or pressure-controlled drive ( 14 ). Said drive ( 14 ) is disposed in a zone of the cap inner part ( 15 ) facing the reservoir interior. A mechanical motion transfer device ( 70 ) is arranged between the drive ( 14 ) and the torsional stop ( 19 ) and extends off-set from the central axis of the closure cap ( 10 ).

The present invention relates to a closure cap for a fixed neck of a container, in particular a motor vehicle radiator, in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

In such a closure cap known from DE 197 53 597 A1, the twist-prevention device between the closure element and the grip element is constituted by an axial coupling bolt, which is acted upon by a spring arrangement which operates as a function of the temperature.

In connection with a further closure cap known from DE 199 23 775 A1, the twist-prevention device is constituted by a strap, which is axially movable and is arranged inside the grip element and can be operated by a thermal drive in the form of an expandable material. In both known cases it is difficult to transmit the actual heat in the container to the twist-prevention device, which can be affected by heat, without considerable temperature losses. This is difficult to obtain, not least because of the valve arrangement in the form of an overpressure or underpressure valve arranged in the path between the container interior and the twist-prevention device. This correspondingly also applies to those closure caps which, as already suggested, operate by means of a pressure-controlled twist-prevention device.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to produce a closure cap for a fixed neck of a container, in particular a motor vehicle radiator, of the type mentioned at the outset, to whose twist-prevention device, or its drive mechanism, it is possible to transmit the temperature prevailing in the container interior, or the pressure prevailing in the container interior, in a simpler manner and without impermissibly high losses.

The characteristics recited in claim 1 are provided for attaining this object in connection with a fixed neck of a container, in particular a motor vehicle radiator, of the type mentioned.

By means of the steps in accordance with the invention it has been achieved that the drive element in the form of a capsule made of an expandable material, or a diaphragm, and operating as a function of the temperature or a function of the pressure, can pick up the temperature prevailing in the container interior, or the pressure prevailing in the container interior, without losses and without delay. The transmission of the movement of the drive mechanism, which is substantially arranged directly in the container interior, to the twist-prevention device is possible in a structurally simple manner and directly, wherein it is simultaneously achieved that the overpressure/underpressure valve arrangement can remain in the inner cap element in a known manner.

Advantageous structural embodiments of the movement transmission device ensue from the characteristics of claims 2 and/or 3.

A structurally simple arrangement of the drive mechanism, which is directly pointing toward the interior of the container is provided by means of the characteristics of claims 4 and/or 5. In this connection it is practical to provide the characteristics in accordance with claim 7 and/or 8 for the direct state of the conditions in the container interior to the drive mechanism.

Structural embodiments of this ensue from the characteristics of one or several of claims 9 to 11.

The structural embodiment of the twist-prevention device is usefully provided either in accordance with the characteristics of claim 12 and/or 13, or in accordance with the characteristic of claim 12 and/or 13, or in accordance with the characteristic of claim 14 and/or 15.

Further details of the invention can be found in the description which follows, wherein the invention is described in greater detail and explained by means of exemplary embodiments represented in the drawings.

Shown are in:

FIG. 1, a schematic representation in longitudinal section of a closure cap for a motor vehicle radiator with a pressure controlled twist-prevention device in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the right and left half sections respectively represent one of the two end positions,

FIG. 2, a representation corresponding to FIG. 1, but in accordance with a variation of the design of the twist-prevention device,

FIG. 3, a representation corresponding to FIG. 1, but with a closure cap with a temperature-disturbed twist-prevention device in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 4, a representation corresponding to FIG. 3, but in accordance with a variation of the design of the twist-prevention device.

The closure cap 10 or 110, as well as 10′ or 110′, represented in the drawings by means of two exemplary embodiments, and respectively one variation of these exemplary embodiments, has an overpressure/underpressure valve arrangement 11 or 111, which has an overpressure valve body 12 or 112 and an underpressure valve body 13 or 113, which are identical in all exemplary embodiments and variants. The opening pressure of the overpressure valve body 12, 112 is fixedly set by means of a helical pressure spring 44, 144, and the underpressure valve body 13, 113 also by means of a helical pressure spring 66, 166. In accordance with the representation in the drawings, the outer lid 16 or 116, or 16′ or 116′, which is identical in both exemplary embodiments and both variations, of the closure cap 10 or 110, or 10′ or 110′, has a closure element 17, 117, or 17′ or 117′, which is here in the form of an exterior thread element for screwing the closure cap onto or off the opening of a neck, not represented here, of a motor vehicle radiator or other container, and a grip element 18, 118, or 18′ or 118′, which is rotatable in relation to the closure element 17, 117, or 17′ or 117′ and can be connected with it, fixed against relative rotation, by means of a twist-prevention device 19, 119, or 19′ or 119′, which is identical per se in both exemplary embodiments and both variations. In an end area close to the interior of the container, the closure cap 10, 110, or 10′ or 110′, has a drive mechanism 14, 114 for disconnecting the twist-prevention device 19, 119, or 19′ or 119′, wherein a movement transfer device 70, 170, or 70′, 170′, is arranged between the twist-prevention device and the drive mechanism. It is understood that the closure element 17, 117, or 17′, 117′, can be embodied as a quarter-turn fastener instead of as an exterior thread element.

The closure element 17, 117, or 17′, 117′, has an intermediate bottom 21, 121 provided with an axial opening, from whose underside a sleeve 23, 123 with an exterior thread, and from whose top a connecting sleeve 24, 124 project axially, by means of whose radial flange 22, 122 the closure element 17, 117, or 17′, 117′, is rotatably maintained at the grip element 18, 118, or 18′, 118′, but is kept suspended axially immovable.

The grip element 18, 118, or 18′, 118′, extends underneath the outer edge of the flange 22, 122 of the connecting sleeve 24, 124 of the closure element 17, 117, or 17′, 117′, and has in its center a guide ring 25, 125, which projects centered axially inward and within which a pressure spring 26, 126 is received, whose one end is supported on the inside of the grip element, and its other end on a blocking plate 27, 127, or blocking lever 27′, 127′, of the twist-prevention device 19, 119, or 19′, 119′.

The blocking plate 27, 127 is connected, fixed against relative rotation but axially displaceably, with the grip element 18, 118 at holding fingers 28, 128, which are located radially at the outside in respect to the guide ring 25, 125 and extend axially toward the interior. On its outer circumference, the blocking plate 27, 127 has axially downward bent claws 29, 129 which, in their initial position (right half-section), engage axial grooves 31, 131 in the intermediate bottom 21, 121 of the closure element 17, 117, so that in this position the twist-prevention device 19, 119 is connected, fixed against relative rotation, not only with the grip element 18, 118, but also with the closure element 17, 117, which allows the closure cap to be screwed onto or off the not represented container neck. As will still be shown, the twist-prevention device 19, 119 can be axially moved against the action of the pressure spring 26, 126 in such a way that the claws 29, 129 are released from the grooves 31, 131 (left half-section), so that the rotating connection between the twist-prevention element 19, 119 and the closure element 17, 117 is released, which results in a free-wheeling rotation of the grip element 18, 118 on the closure element 17, 117 and prevents the unscrewing of the closure cap 10, 110 from the container neck.

In connection with the two variations in FIGS. 2 and 4, the blocking lever 27′, 127′ is embodied in the shape of a circular face in the center area 32′, 132′, on which the pressure spring 26, 26′ is seated, while a strip-shaped neck extends via a bearing lug 33′, 133′ on a bearing shaft 34, 134′ fastened on the closure element 17′, 117′. Opposite this strip provided with the bearing lug 33′, 133′, the disk-shaped center area 32′, 132′ is provided in one piece with a radially projecting blocking finger 29′, 129′, which can extend between detent projections 31′, 131′ provided evenly distributed and radially extending from the inner circumference of the grip element 18′, 118′.

In connection with these variations and in accordance with the respective right half-section, the blocking fingers 29′, 129′ also extend between two adjoining detent projections 31′, 131′, so that in this position the twist-prevention element 19′, 119′ is not only connected, fixed against relative rotation, with the closure element 17, 117′, but also with the grip element 18′, 118′, which allows the closure cap element to be screwed onto or off the container neck, not represented. As will be also shown here in addition, the twist-prevention element 19′, 119′ is axially movable counter to the effect of the pressure spring 26′, 126′ in such a way that the blocking fingers 29′, 129′ come free of the two adjoining detent projections 31′, 131′ in accordance with the respective left half-section, so that the locked connection between the twist-prevention element 19′, 119′ and the grip element 18′, 118′ is cancelled, which results in a free-wheeling rotation of the grip element 18′, 118′ on the closure element 17′, 117′ and prevents the unscrewing of the closure cap 10′, 110′ from the container neck.

An inner cap element 15, 115, which holds the overpressure/underpressure valve arrangement 11, 111, is suspended from the closure element 17, 117, 17′, 117′ in such a way that the inner cap element is axially immovable in respect to the outer cap element, but can be rotated in the circumferential direction.

The inner cap element 15 or 115 has a valve cup 36, 136, which is suspended from the closure element 17, 117, or 17′, 117′, and has radial flow-through openings 40, 140. An intermediate bottom 38, 138 of the valve cup 36, 136 is provided with a central opening 39, 139, around which an annular sealing face 41, 141 is provided, which is axially raised toward the interior, on which the overpressure valve body 12, 112 rests with its annular sealing face 42, 142 by means of the action of the pressure spring 44, 144, which has a defined pre-stress.

The overpressure valve body 12, 112 is approximately hat-shaped and receives the underpressure valve body 13, 113 in an opening 61, 161 in its center area 62, 162. The underpressure valve body has the approximate shape of an inverted T and, via an annual seal 64, 164, rests with its disk-shaped end against the inside of the center area of the overpressure valve body 12, 112 because of the effect of the pressure spring 66, 166, which is pre-stressed between the top of the center area of the overpressure valve body 12, 112 and the protruding undercut end of the underpressure valve body 13, 113, which has been passed through the opening 61, 161. In this way it is possible, when underpressure prevails in the container interior, for the underpressure body 13, 113 to be lifted off its valve seat against the action of the pressure spring 66, 166, so that a pressure equalization can take place via the flow-through opening 40, 140.

In the exemplary embodiments and variations represented, the drive mechanism 14, 114 is arranged in a housing element 71, which is fastened on the underside of the valve cup 36, 136 on the inner cap element 15, 115 facing away from the grip element 18, 118. The housing element 71, 171 is embodied to be U-shaped, wherein its bottom 72, 172 is fixedly connected with the valve cup 36, 136. The lower open end of the housing element 71, 171 facing away from the bottom 72, 172 is covered by a lid element 73, 173. The lid element 73, 173 has two or more openings 74, 174 distributed over the circumference, through which the interior of the housing element 71, 171 is connected with the interior of the container. Thus, the housing element 71, 171 with its lid element 73, 173 is considered to be an extension of the valve cup 36, 136, i.e. the two elements protrude into the interior of the container and are therefore directly exposed to the temperature or pressure conditions in the container interior. In the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 1, and in the variation derived from it in accordance with FIG. 2, a pressure-proof diaphragm 50 is clamped between the open end of the housing element 71 and the lid element 73 and constitutes the pressure-controlled drive mechanism 15. A pressure element 76 resting on the diaphragm 50 is slidingly conducted inside the housing element 71. The movement transfer device 70, here embodied as one or several transfer rods 77′ or 77, is connected with the pressure element 76. For example, in accordance with FIG. 1, three transfer rods 77 are provided and are evenly distributed over the circumference of the pressure element 76, are fixedly connected with the pressure element and axially penetrate the valve cup eccentrically in respect to the overpressure/underpressure valve arrangement 12. The blocking plate 27 rests under the prestress of the pressure spring 26 on the ends of the transfer rods 77 facing away from the pressure element 76. In the variation in accordance with FIG. 2 a single transfer rod 77′ is provided, one end of which is connected with the pressure element 76 and on the other end of which the area of the blocking lever 27′ facing away from the bearing axis 34, or the bearing lug 33′ is seated, and is acted upon by the pressure spring 26′. The lever 77′ is also provided eccentrically in respect to the center axis of the overpressure/underpressure valve arrangement 12.

In connection with the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 3, and with the variation in accordance with FIG. 4 derived from it, the thermally-controlled drive mechanism 114 is constituted by a thermo-capsule 150, which rests on the inside of the lid element 173 of the housing element 171 and is held there. In this exemplary embodiment radial openings 178 are provided in the circumferential wall of the lid element 173, which is higher in comparison with the lid element 73, via which the thermo-capsule 150 is additionally connected with the interior of the container. The thermo-capsule 150 contains an expandable material, which expands under the effect of heat in case of a temperature increase. A sealing diaphragm 179 is located on the thermo-capsule 150, which is clamped in a pressure-proof manner between the front annular surface of the housing element 171 and the front annular surface of the lid element 173. On the inside of the sealing diaphragm 179 facing away from the thermo-capsule 150 rests a pressure element 176, which is connected with the pressure transfer device 170, which is embodied in the way as had been explained in connection with the pressure transfer device 70 in FIG. 1, or 70′ in FIG. 2.

The coolant will be heated while the engine is operated, so that the temperature or the pressure rises in the container. Because of the direct arrangement of the drive mechanism 14, or 114, in the container interior in the course of a pressure increase, in accordance with FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 the respective left half-section, the diaphragm 50 is deflected and is axially moved in the direction of the arrow B under the effect of the pressure spring 44, 44′ acting on the twist-prevention element, wherein this axial movement is transferred to the movement transfer device 70, 70′, and therefore to the blocking plate 27, or the blocking lever 27′. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 and the variation of FIG. 4, respectively the left half-section, the expandable material is stretched because of the temperature increase, so that the thermo-capsule 150 is also axially stretched in the direction of the arrow B against the pressure spring 144, 144′ acting on the twist-prevention element. Here, too, this stretching movement of the thermo-capsule 150 is transferred via the movement transfer device 170, or 170′ to the blocking plate 127, or the blocking lever 127′. In both cases the blocking plate 27, 127, or the blocking lever 27′, 127′ is lifted in the direction of the arrow B and the pressure spring 44, 44′, 144′ is compressed, so that the claws 29, 129, or the blocking fingers 29′, 129′ of the blocking plate 27, 127, or the blocking lever 27′, 127′ come free of the grooves 31, 131, or the spaces between respectively two detent projections 31′, 131′. In this state (the respective left half-sections), the connection fixed against relative rotation between the closure element 17, 117, or 17′, 117′, and the grip element 18, 118, or 18′, 118′, is cancelled, so that the grip element rotates in a freewheeling manner in respect to the closure element. This free-wheeling connection between the grip element and the closure element prevents the unscrewing of the closure cap 10, 110, or 10′, 110′ from the container neck. Once normal output values of the pressure or temperature in the container interior again prevail, the twist-prevention element 19, 119, or 19′, 119′ returns into its initial position under the effect of the pressure spring 44, 144, or 44′, 144′, so that the closure cap can again be unscrewed because of the connection of the grip element and the closure element in a manner fixed against relative rotation. 

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A closure cap for a fixed neck of a container, in particular a motor vehicle radiator, having: an outer cap element, including a closure element for the container neck and a grip element, which can be rotated in relation to the latter, between which said grip element and said closure element a twist-prevention device acts; an inner cap element, including a flow connection between the interior of the container and the exterior of the container and a valve arrangement for releasing or blocking the flow connection, said valve arrangement including an axially movable overpressure valve body, which can be lifted off a seal, and an underpressure valve body; a thermally or pressure-controlled drive mechanism; and a mechanical movement transfer device, wherein: said twist-prevention device can be disengaged by means of said thermally or pressure-controlled drive mechanism, preferably in the form of a capsule made of an expandable material, or of a diaphragm said thermally or pressure-controlled drive mechanism being arranged in an area of said inner cap element facing the interior of the container; and said mechanical movement transfer device, which extends eccentrically with respect to the center axis of the closure cap, is arranged between said drive mechanism and said twist-prevention device.
 17. The closure cap in accordance with claim 16, wherein: said movement transfer device has at least one axially extending actuating rod.
 18. The closure cap in accordance with claim 17, further having: an axially movable pressure element provided between said actuating rod and said thermally or pressure-controlled drive mechanism.
 19. The closure cap in accordance with claim 16, further having: a cup-shaped housing element, wherein: said thermally or pressure-controlled drive mechanism is arranged in said cup-shaped housing element, which is held on the underside of said inner cap element.
 20. The closure cap in accordance with claim 19, wherein: said cup-shaped housing element is fastened to the underside of a valve cup of said inner cap element.
 21. The closure cap in accordance with claim 19, wherein: said cup-shaped housing element is provided with axial openings pointing towards the interior of the container.
 22. The closure cap in accordance with claim 19, wherein: said cup-shaped housing element or its lid element is provided with radial openings pointing towards the interior of the container.
 23. The closure cap in accordance with claim 19, wherein: a diaphragm is clamped in a pressure-proof manner in said cup-shaped housing element.
 24. The closure cap in accordance with claim 23, wherein: diaphragm is clamped in a pressure-proof manner between a circumferential edge of said cup-shaped housing element and a lid element.
 25. The closure cap in accordance with claim 24, wherein: said element is provided with axial and/or radial openings.
 26. The closure cap in accordance with claim 19, wherein: said actuating rod(s) axially penetrate said valve cup eccentrically in respect to said overpressure/underpressure valve arrangement.
 27. The closure cap in accordance with claim 16, wherein: said twist-prevention device is constituted by an approximately U-shaped blocking plate, which rests, charged by a spring, on preferably several actuating rods, which are arranged distributed over the circumference of said inner cap element.
 28. The closure cap in accordance with claim 27, wherein: said U-shaped blocking plate is connected with the grip element in a manner fixed against relative rotation, but axially movable; the outer ends of said U-shaped blocking plate dip into recesses of said closure element.
 29. The closure cap in accordance with claim 16, wherein: said twist-prevention device is constituted by a rocker, one end of which is fastened to said closure element of said outer cap element, and one area of which facing away from a hinge rests under the action of a spring on an actuating rod.
 30. The closure cap in accordance with claim 29, wherein: facing away from said hinge, said rocker has a finger, which can enter between radially inward pointing detent projections over the circumference of said grip element. 